Soco Road: Maggie Valley to Cherokee

Soco Road, US 19, Wolfetown Road · Maggie Valley → Cherokee

Sweeping15.8 mi30 min1,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,300 ftOne way

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The drive

Soco Road is US 19 over the mountains between Maggie Valley and Cherokee. It climbs to Soco Gap at 4,340 feet, where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses overhead, and the gap marks the eastern edge of the Qualla Boundary, the land held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee name for the gap, Ahalunun'yi, means Ambush Place.

The 15.8 miles take about 30 minutes, with long grades and mostly gentle curves and one twisty stretch. Signs near Cherokee carry Cherokee-syllabary names. About a mile west of the Parkway underpass, a parking area on US 19 serves Soco Falls.

The drive is Maggie Valley to Cherokee so the long descent runs into town. At the bottom, Cherokee is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side.

Along the way

Maggie Valley (Soco Road)
Soco Gap
Cherokee (Soco Road)

Elevation

1,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,300 ft

Maggie ValleyCherokee

Curves

Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch

mi 4–10

Maggie ValleyCherokee

GentleHairpins

Good to know

Long grades mean slow trucks; gear down on the descent instead of riding your brakes.
Snow or ice are possible at the top in winter.
US 19 west out of Maggie Valley has a truck restriction, and Maggie Valley police have cited trucks too long and heavy for the road.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NCDOT DriveNC.

Questions about this drive

How long does Soco Road take to drive?

US 19 (Soco Road) from Maggie Valley to Cherokee is 15.8 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

How high is Soco Gap?

Soco Gap is about 4,340 feet. The Blue Ridge Parkway and US 19 both cross it.

Does Soco Road close in winter?

Snow and ice are possible at the top of Soco Gap in winter. Check DriveNC for current conditions.

Where is Soco Falls?

Soco Falls is on US 19 in Maggie Valley, with a parking area about a mile west of the Blue Ridge Parkway underpass.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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